Does our modern way of living lead to loneliness?

Apparently it does, according to recent research. The Mental Health Foundation have just released a report which says that ten percent of people in the UK are feeling more isolated than before and around half of them think that people are getting lonelier, and it’s all because of the way we now live our lives.

Now, more than ever before, more people are living alone. The percentage of those living in one person households was only 6 percent in the early 70’s and this figure rose to 12 percent two years ago.

The divorce rate has also risen significantly, and is more than double than what it was a few decades ago. Nowadays it’s not uncommon to live far away from one’s parents and/or extended family.

It’s not just affecting adults either, it’s actually having a devastating effect on the children as the number of children calling ChildLine saying they are lonely has risen by 60 percent in the last five years according to Christoper Cloke of the NSPCC and reported in the Telegraph.

“Loneliness has always been a part of some children’s lives but it is deeply worrying that more children are contacting us about this” said Cloke.

“In the worst cases children became so desperate that they self-harm or even contemplate suicide.”

The Mental Health Foundation report also found that almost 20 percent of people say they spend too much time communicating with friends and family online instead of in person.

Feeling alone is known to be linked to physical and mental health and now the Mental Health Foundation are launching a campaign to highlight how the way we live our lives today is leading to increased feelings of loneliness.

One of the problems is that people who feel lonely are often reluctant to admit it, and may feel embarrassed about doing so.

“Changes to the way we live are putting an increasing number of people at risk of loneliness, which can lead to health problems if chronic” said Mental Health Foundation Chief Executive Andrew McCulloch.

“People who find themselves feeling lonely should not have to feel uncomfortable talking about it or asking for help.

“By raising awareness of the subject we hope to tackle the stigma attached to loneliness and help individuals who are feeling lonely to connect with others” he said.